By Dennis Ndlovu| Zim GBC News
The Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) has called on the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) to simplify licensing procedures, strengthen support for local industry, and ensure a reliable energy supply to enhance industrial competitiveness.
Speaking during ZERA’s pre-strategic stakeholder consultation and feedback workshop held in Bulawayo, ZNCC, Matabeleland Regional Manager Mduduzi Ncube said the private sector expects the energy regulator to address key inefficiencies that continue to constrain business growth and investment.
“ZERA should streamline and expedite licensing processes to reduce bureaucracy, delays, and costs for businesses,” said Ncube.
“This could be achieved through online application systems and shorter turnaround times. Clear and consistent policy direction is also critical to avoid confusion and uncertainty among operators.”
He urged ZERA to work closely with relevant authorities to harmonise policies, promote transparency, and foster confidence among investors.
Ncube emphasized the need for ZERA to promote local production and value addition, arguing that this would help narrow the trade deficit and spur national economic growth.
He said the business community expects ZERA to “facilitate and enforce urgent investment in modernising and expanding national power generation, transmission and distribution infrastructure” to support growing industrial and commercial demand.
“The recently announced Energy Compact Agreement is welcome news, and we hope it will accelerate both on- and off-grid energy solutions,” he said.
“ZERA should urgently issue clear guidelines and introduce incentives to attract both domestic and foreign investment, particularly in the renewable energy sector, ”he said
On electricity tariffs, Ncube said while businesses understand the need for cost-reflective tariffs that sustain utilities and independent power producers, these must remain regionally competitive to ensure local industries remain viable.
“The key purpose of energy is to enable production and industrial competitiveness in support of economic growth,” he said.
He also called for reliable and quality energy supply, noting that load-shedding continues to disrupt operations, cause revenue losses, and damage sensitive equipment.
ZNCC urged ZERA to ensure utility efficiency to prevent the cost of inefficiency being passed to consumers, saying “the burden of system losses should not be accepted directly or indirectly.”
Ncube also highlighted the importance of promoting grid expansion and private sector participation in power distribution, noting that private involvement was once resisted but is now proving beneficial.
“We need clear guidelines and frameworks to support this growing participation,” he added.
He also stressed the need for a more supportive tax environment and stronger coordination among energy-related agencies such as Environmental Management Agency and local authorities.
“Multiplicity of licences and fragmented regulation continue to increase the cost of doing business, especially in the fuel sector,” he said.
Ncube cautioned ZERA against excessive regulatory burdens and outdated rules that discourage investment. He urged the regulator to eliminate unnecessary bureaucracy and avoid a one-size-fits-all approach, arguing that policies should be tailored to specific sectors or sub-sectors.
He further called for broader stakeholder engagement, saying inclusive consultations will help shape a more conducive environment for sustainable energy development and economic growth.
“As a Chamber, we strongly recommend that ZERA addresses these issues to create a more enabling business climate,” he recommended.
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